Effective World Language Instruction
Core Practice for World Language Learning
What is the expected methodology of teaching and learning a world language in today's classrooms?
The current most effective practices that are recommended by the national organization, ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) have been published and are called the "Core Practices." These are six tenants that all teachers of world languages including, modern world languages, classical languages like Latin and Greek, and visual languages like ASL (American Sign Language) must implement. These Core Practices are key for students to be successful and understand and communicate in another language.
All PWCS world language teachers have posters of these "Core Practices" in order for our students and parents to realize how and why behaviors in a classroom today may be very different from years ago when parents were students.
Click here for the National Statements providing Additional details about the Core Practices
These are the six tenants:
Facilitate Target Language Comprehensibility
Students and teachers speak, listen, read, write, view, and create in the target language 90 percent or more during classroom time: comprehensible input, contexts, and interactions.
Guide learners through Interpreting Authentic Resources
Present interactive reading and listening comprehension tasks using authentic cultural texts with appropriate scaffolding while promoting interpretation.
Design Oral Interpersonal Communication Tasks
Design and carry out interpersonal communication tasks for pairs, small groups, and whole class instruction.
Plan with Backward Design Model
Instructors identify desired results THEN determine acceptable evidence THEN plan learning experiences and Instruction.
Teach Grammar as Concept and Use in Context
Teach Grammar as concept and use in context. Students focus on meaning BEFORE form.
Provide Appropriate Oral Feedback
Oral corrective Feedback is a tool for mediating learning and language development.